Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-25
lNDIANA'S LIVELY FIGHT
ROBERTSON SHOWN THE DOOR
BY THE SENATE

tsis and a Large Force of Doorkeepers
on Duty-The Claimant stopped by
Force While Marching on the Chair
Two or Three Scuffies Add to tho Ex-
element,
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Feb. 24.-The
Senate chamber was carefully guarded
this morning by force of doorkeepers,
and even members of the body had diff
Guilty in efiecting an entrance. There
was tremendous crowd in the Hobbies
and much feeling. At 8 O'Clock Green
Smith raped the Senate to order, where
upon Col. Robertson, who had been ad-
mitted to the floor, started toward the
chair. He was met on the steps by an
assistant doorkseper, who told him he
could not come In. The Colonel replied
that he was the presiding officer OF the
Senate and must take his seat and
stepped forward, when the doorkeeper
repealed him to the foot OF the stairs.
Thereupon ne stood in front Of the Clerks
desk and stated that he had been elected
Lieutenant Governor OF the State, and by
the constitution was the presiding ofhcer
OF the Senate and he demanded his seat.
TURBULENT SCENES.
The point OF order was raised that none
but members or the Senate could take up
the time of the body, which Speaker
Smith sustained, and called upon the
doorkeeper to remove Mr.. Robertson
from the chamber. The doorkeeper ap-
preached Mr., Robertson, took his arm,
and the two walked ont TO the main door.
The crowd saw Mr.. Robertson come out,
and there was great excitement. he
mounted the steps and made a speech,
reciting what had TRANSFERRED in the
chamber, and cautioned the people to do
nothing that would infringe the peace or
dignity OF the State, or that they would
regret 1t in cooler moments. This ended
the trouble, and MIR. Robertson passed
out into the hall of the House, which
body had not yet met.
During the excitement about the Sem
ate doors three of the Senators attempted
to enter and had a difficulty. Senator
johnson, OF Wayne, denounced the door
keepers, and during the melee a number
OF persons from inside approached the
door, among them Senator Mcdonald,
who put up his hands.
BLOW IN THE FACE.
Mr.J Johnson interpreted il as an attempt
to thrust him back, and struck the Sena-
tor on the face.
Senator Denote was ordered into his
seat, and when the Sergeant put him
down threw him to the floor. The Repub-
lcan Senators started to follow MIR.
Robertson out Of the chamber, but were
not permitted to leave. They sat quietly
in the rear of the chamber, taking no part
in the proceedings.
When the House was called to order
bills on their passage were called up and
one bill was passed. The Speaker an
nouneed that when the Lieutenant Gov
ernor was presiding in the Senate, &C
cording to the constitution. the fact of
their passage would be communicated to
that body. This was received with great
applause. He has instructed the door
Keeper not TO admit the Secretary of the
Senate to the hall, in order to Illustrate
any design to present communication.
BUCKLING DOWN TO BUSINESS.
After the expulsion of Mr.. Robertson,
the Democrats Of the Senate took up the
regular order of business, but eighteen
Republican members refused to answer
roll calls, and declined in any way 10 give
countenance to the proceedings. Many
efforts were made to induce them to COM
nit themselves, but all resulted in fail
ure, and their names were ordered to be
placed on the record as present but not
voting Before adjournment resolution
was passed empowering the Doorkeeper
serve the peace of the chamber. 1t is I'M
derstoOd that it is the intention of the
Democrats to unseat tomorrow Senators
Thomson, of Jasper, and Kennedy, of
Rush. Ii this is done they will have
quorum of their own party.
LEGISLATION BLOCKADED.
AS matters now stand legislation is to-
tally blocked. The Republican House is
mistaken in Its determination to refuse
official recognition of the Senate until Mr..
RobertsOn's right to preside is conceded.
and there are no indications of yielding
on either side. A great deal of important
legislation is pending, no provisions hay-
ing yet been made for the expenses of the
State benevolent institutions, and the gen.
eral fund of the State treasury is ex-
hausted. The session expires by limita-
ton on March Z.
NO CHANGE IN THE BALLoTING.
TRENTON, n. j., Feb. A.-Another
joint ballot for Senator was taken to-day
without change in the situation.
CAMDEN's COMING TRIUMPH.
CHARLESTON, w. VA, Feb. 24.-Two
Republicans voted for Mr.. Camden to-day.
giving him Al votes. 1t is thought he will
get live more votes tomorrow, which will
elect him.
There was great excitement in the SEN
ate to night when Senator Dawson IRE
pubican) Introduced the following pro-
vIding for ar investigation and prosecu-
tion of the alleged bribery in the matter
OF the election OF United States Senator:
WHEREAS, 1t is currently charged and gen.
orally believed that improper means have
been used to influence a member OF the SEN
ate in the matter OF the election of an United
States Senator for the term beginning March
4, 1887. Therefore be it
ResoJUsd, BY the Senate, the House of dele
gates concurring therein, that the Attorney
General of the State be and is hereby in
structed to institute an investigation of said
charges and begin in the proper tribunal such
prosecution or prosecutions as may be neces-
sarv for the conviction ana punishment of All |
persons guilty of the ofiense aforesaid.
The resolution will be acted upon TO- |